We recently led a multi-agency operation to recover stolen vehicles and arrest vehicle theft suspects in the Unincorporated Pierce County area. In total, 8 vehicles were recovered and 11 arrests were made. Five vehicles fled from officers during the emphasis.
The following vehicles were recovered during the operation:
Chevy Silverado (unoccupied)
Stolen from the Seattle area. Located at 169th St E and 3rd Ave Ct E in Spanaway.
GMC Sierra (occupied)
Stolen from the Tacoma area. Located in the 17900 block of Pacific Ave S in Spanaway. A 19-year-old male was arrested and booked into jail for unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle and obstructing.
Jeep Grand Cherokee with trailer (occupied)
Stolen from the South Pierce County area. Located in a grocery store parking lot in the 100 block of Military Rd S in Spanaway. A 39-year-old male was arrested and booked into jail for unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle.
Ford Ranger (occupied)
Stolen from the Spanaway area. Located in the 700 block of 152nd St E in Spanaway. The truck had switched plates and a covered VIN. A 34-year-old male was arrested and booked into jail for unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle.
Hyundai Elantra (occupied)
Stolen from the Lakewood area. Located at 112th St S and C St S in Parkland. The vehicle had no plates and fled. Air assets followed the vehicle and reported that it continued to drive recklessly even after patrol cars terminated their pursuit. It collided with a vehicle at N 30th St and Union Ave in Tacoma. The 32-year-old male driver fled on foot but was quickly arrested. He was booked into jail for unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, eluding, and warrants.
Kia Sportage (occupied)
Stolen from the Kent area. Located at S 84th St and Pacific Ave in Tacoma. The vehicle had a temporary tag that belonged on another vehicle. Air assets followed the vehicle to Swan Creek Park, where the occupants fled on foot. The suspects were located with help from a K9 team. A 27-year-old male was arrested for unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, eluding, obstructing, and warrants. A 42-year-old male was arrested for unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle and obstructing.
Motorcycle (occupied)
Stolen from the Auburn area. Located at 123rd St E and 6th Ave E in Parkland. The motorcycle didn’t have plates and it fled at high speeds. Air assets followed the motorcycle for 30 minutes. The 41-year-old rider tipped over on a gravel road and fled on foot near the 22800 block of Mountain Hwy E. He tossed a gun in the process. He was arrested and booked into jail for unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, eluding, and unlawful possession of a firearm. He is a convicted felon.
Officers attempted to stop a Toyota Camry in the 22300 block of Mountain Hwy E in Spanaway, but it fled. Unmarked vehicles followed the car to a parking lot in the 17400 block of Meridian and arrested the 27-year-old male driver for assault in the second degree, eluding, obstructing, and warrants. He told officers that he fled because he was tired of being “harassed” by police for not having license plates.
Officers stopped an unlicensed motorcycle at 167th St E and B St E. The 37-year-old female passenger was arrested for outstanding warrants.
Officers witnessed a drug deal in a parking lot in the 9900 block of Pacific Ave and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle had no plates and fled. Air assets followed the car to S 56th St and S Orchard St, where officers deployed stop sticks. The vehicle crashed at Cirque Dr W and Alameda Ave, and the occupants fled on foot. A 39-year-old male was arrested for eluding, obstructing, and driving with a suspended license.
A driver was stopped after a deputy realized the vehicle had been sold but the title was never transferred. The deputy noticed a gun sticking out from under the seat. A records check revealed the gun was stolen. The 40-year-old driver was arrested for possession of a stolen firearm, carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, and failure to transfer title.
We want to thank the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, Tacoma Police Department, Puyallup Police Department, Department of Corrections, and the Washington State Patrol (WSP) for participating in the operation. Air support was provided by WSP (Smokey 4) and the King County Sheriff’s Office (Guardian 1).
“Auto thefts are a regional issue,” said Sgt. Jeff Carroll of the Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force. “We have detectives from multiple agencies within King and Pierce Counties working together to aggressively investigate prolific thieves and get people their stolen vehicles back.”
Tips to protect your vehicle:
- Remove or hide all valuables
- Lock your car
- Don’t leave keys or fobs inside
- Don’t leave your vehicle running unattended
- Use anti-theft devices (alarm, kill switch, steering wheel lock
- Park in well-lit areas
The Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force (PSATT) is dedicated to investigating prolific auto theft offenders through multi-agency cooperation in King & Pierce Counties. The PSATT is funded through a grant from the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority (WATPA).